Action slide for firearms



Ncnv I4, 1950 Q sw s us 2,530,363

ACTION SLIDE FOR FIREARMS Filed May 9, 1947 Patented Nov. 14, 1 950 7 2,530,363 U 1 I p ACTION SLIDE FOR FIREARMS Carl G. swamusgnasm, can. Application May 9, 1947,' Serial No.74 6,971

The present=iinventionrelates" in general to firearms and more especially to action-slidemechanism for-automatic or semiautomatic firearms.

An object-of the invention is to provide an improved method of making the action-slide mechanism of firearms. 7

- A further object of the'invention is to form action-slide mechanism for firearms byan improved 'method which requires relatively few operations, each of which is characterized by its simplicity and economy of performance. r

- A still :further object-of the invention isto formaction-slide mechanism for firearms by an improved method wherein preliminary operations are performed simultaneously on a piece of stock from which aplurality of crosshead blanks are subsequently made.

With the above .and other objects in view, as will appear to those skilled inthe art from the present disclosure, this invention includes all features in the said disclosure .which are novel over the prior art and which are not-claimed in any separate application. In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are .shownfor illustrative purposes:

-Fig. 1 isa perspectiveview of a length of cylindrical bar stock from which a plurality of crosshead .blanks are. to be made, the cylindrical bar stock having two spaced parallel longitudinal apertures formed therethrough in accordance with the; first step joflthe improved method-of thisinvention; V Fig; 2 is an, exploded perspective view of one of the crossheadblanks cut from the bar stock realms. (01. 29. 148)" cylindrical crosshead blank'and from the, for.-- I

ward ends of the action-rods by the next succeeding step; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cylindrical crosshead blankand action-rods following removal of stock from the peripheries thereof;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation .partlyjn section on line 6-6 of Fig. 5 indicating by broken lines the next succeeding operations to be performed thereon; I

Fig. .7. is a perspective view of the finished crosshead and the action-slide, rods of Fig. 5 following the shaping .oftherecesses in the top and bottom gofthe crosshead blank and after the inside walls of the action-rods have been formed with longitudinal flats; I

Fig. 8 is a brokenplan view of the completed,

action-slide; and I Fig. 9 is an end-elevation partly in section on line 9'9-of Fig. 7. 3 For the purpose of illustrating the invention; an action-slideis shown of theitype used in a" semiautomatic rifle, but it"will be understood that the invention-may haveother applications and is not limited 'to the firearm illustrated but includes all firearm structures within the scope. of the appended'cl'aims.

Theaction-slide shown herein is characterized by a crosshead anda pair of action-rods,. the latter being adapted to transmit the reciprocable movement of a fore-.endto abreechblock for moving the latterto and from breech-closing position'in' the receiver of a firearm, as is .well understood by those versed in the art. It will be appreciated, however, that but a single actionrod may be used where a relatively-small calibe gun :warrants the lighter construction.

-In carryingout-the invention, a piece of'cylin drical solid bar-stock I5 is selected of any suit-' able material suchas steel and of a length such that it may bevsubsequently divided by transverse-cuts, as indicated by the broken lines IS. in Fig. 1, into. a plurality of cylindrical blanks of substantially equal length from each of which a finished crosshead will be formed. The piece of cylindricalbar-stockl5 is adapted to be rigidly supported While a pair of apertures I! are formed therethrough. These apertures I! may be formed either by a boring or drilling process and. the longitudinal axes of the apertures ll are formed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical bar-stock and in a common diametrio plane, the longitudinal axis of eachaperture being adjacent the opposite extremities respectively of the diametric plane but. spaced inwardly transversely fromthe periphery of the cylindrical bar bya distance equal substantially to the radius of its respective aperturel1 plus one thirty-second-of an inch. rThe latter dimensionis not critical but has been chosen as most satisfactoryfrom therstandpoint of uniformity and economy of operation'in the improved method of this invention. After the longitudinal apertures ll have been formed in the cylindrical bar-stock IS, the latter is divided bytransverse' cuts, as indicated at l6, into a plurality of crosshead blanks l8, as shown in Fig. 2, each of which has two longitudinal apertures [9 extending therethrough and constituting short lengths of the longitudinal aperture I! of the original cylindrical bar-stock l5. Each longitudinal aperture I9 is thenfitted with an action-rod 20 which-comprises a solid cylindrical rod of predetermined length, the i015 ward-end 2| of which is adapted to make a close ,363 1 if f f Y fit in its respective aperture l9 and to terminate substantially flush with the front face 22 of the cylindrical crosshead blank IS. The forward ends 2| of the action-rods are then secured in the respective apertures H) by a solder such, for example, as silver solder or an equivalent fastening-means. The completely assembled crosshead blank and action-rods are shown in Fig. 3.

This assembly is now adapted to be mounted in a lathe or similar turning tool whereupon the periphery of the crosshead blank 18 is turned down substantially uniformly to a predetermined diameter which corresponds substantially to the transverse dimension of the finished crosshead.

The amount of stock removed by this trimming operation is shown generally by the broken lines in Fig. 4 and will be seen to include asubstantial portion of the outer peripheries'of the forward ends 2| of the action-rods as a consequence of which the latter intersect the periphery of the turned-down cylindrical crosshead blank.23, as indicated by the longitudinal spaced parallel lines 24 in Fig. 5. Sincethe turning operation is performed throughoutthe length of the cylindrical crosshead blank 23, a substantially-square shoulder25 is formed adjacent the forward end of each action-rod in a plane coincident with the rear face 26 of the crosshead blank 23, each shoulder 25 projecting transversely from the periphery thereonas indicated clearly in Fig. 8.

. A crosshead for a firearm of the class described is adapted customarily to reciprocate longitudinally beneath the barrel of the firearm and in juxtaposition thereto, and hence the top side of the crosshead is formed with a substantiallysemicylindrical recess so as to provide clearance for the underside of the barrel and permit the. longitudinal axis of the action-slide to be'located as near as possible to" the longitudinal axisof the barrel. ,7

Hence, the next step in forming the action-slide of this invention is that of 'supportingithe crosshead blank 23 and action-rods 20 and milling or otherwise forming a semicylindrical recess 27 in the topside of the cylindrical crosshead blank'23, as indicated in Figs. 6, 7 and 9, the depth and configuration of the recess 21 being sho'wnby the broken lines in Fig. 6. In the embodimentshown, the semicylindrical recess 21 formed in the topside of the crosshead blank intersects a portion of the periphery of the forward end 2| of each action-bar, as indicated by the longitudinal spaced parallel lines 28 in Figs. 7 and 8. -Moreover, the milling operation is adapted to'be carried rearwardly from the crosshead blank to the rear extremities of the action-rods 2ll,'a's a consequence of which thei'up'per longitudinal edges ZS'thereof are formedwith. beveled surfaces corrstituting substantially cylindrical surfaces of revolution which provideclearance for the 'underside of the barrel.

In a preferred embodiment, the recessed 'CIOSS-r head blank indicated at 30 in Figs; 7., 8 and9 may be lightened by providing it with a cutout on its underside, the cutout being substantially rectangular in cross section, as indicated .at 31, and formed by a milling or similar shaping operation;

The next step in the action-slideforming operation is that of providing longitudinal flats :32 on the inside walls of the action-rods, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 6. These longitudinal flats may be made by a milling tool in a single operation or in two operations, the millingfcut extending from the rear face 3 30f the-crosshead 30 to apoint forwardly of therear-endextremities s. .4 34 of the action-rods. In accordance with this construction, the rear ends of the action-rods are formed with integral inwardly-projecting lugs 35, each of which is adapted to be provided with a transverse aperture 36, the apertures 36 being in axial alignment and adapted to receive a transverse pivot-pin for pivotally connecting the rear ends of the action-rods to the breechblock, in a manner well known to the art.

Although the proposed method of forming the action-rod apertures in the crosshead blanks is by drilling longitudinal apertures through a cylindrical bar and subsequently cutting the latter into a plurality of crosshead blanks having action-rod apertures extending therethrough, it will be understood that it is within the purview of the invention to form each crosshead blank separately and to drill a pair of action-rod apertures all the way through each blank, or only part way through each blank; and that either one-or two apertures (and their respective action-rods) may be utilized, depending upon the strength requirements of the firearm. Further, the crosshead, together with the action-rods, may be formed with flat exterior sides to reduce the weight of the firearm and provide a more streamlined appearance.

Although the above-described sequence of operations has been followed successfully in the manufacture of action-slides in accordance with the improved method of this invention, it will be understood that such steps as those of forming the flats 32 on the inside walls of the actionrods and milling the semicylindrical recess 21in the crosshead blank 23 may be performed in the reverse order, the criterions being those of con-' venience and economy in manufacture.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. In the manufacture of firearms, the method of forming an action-slide mechanism embodying a crosshead and action-slide rod which method comprises the steps of; boring a longitudinal aperture into a substantially-cy1indrical blank parallel to and spaced laterally from the longitudinalaxis thereof, securing one end of an action-rod in said longitudinal aperture, thereafter shaping said cylindrical blank and the correspondingrend of said action-rod to the form of a crosshead by removing stock from the periphery-of said blank and from the periphery of the corresponding end of said action-rod in a single operation, and then milling a fiat on the inside wall of'said action-rod.

2. In the manufacture of firearms, the method of forming an action-slide mechanism embody ing a crosshead and action-slide rod which method comprises the steps of; boring a longitudinal aperture into a substantially-cylindrical blank parallel to and spaced laterally from the thereafter milling a concave barrel-clearance recess in the top side of said cylindrical blank and the upper edge of said rod.

3. In the manufacture of firearms, the method of forming an action-slide mechanism embodying a crosshead and a pair of action-slide bars which method comprises the steps of boring a pair of longitudinal apertures through a substantially-cylindrical bar, each aperture being parallel to and spaced laterally from the longitudinal axis thereof, dividing said cylindrical bar into a plurality of longitudinally-apertured cylindrical blanks from which to form a corresponding number of crossheads, securing one end of an action-rod in each longitudinal aperture of one of said cylindrical blanks, thereafter reducing the over-all diameter of said cylindrical blank to the over-all diameter of a crosshead by removing stock from the periphery of the cylindrical blank and from the corresponding ends of said action-rods in a single operation, thereafter milling a concave barrel-clearance recess in the top side of said cylindrical blank and the upper edges of said action-rods and then milling a substantially-rectangular lightening-recess in the bottom side of said cylindrical blank.

4. In the manufacture of firearms, the method of forming an action-slide mechanism embodying a crosshead and action-slide rod which method comprises the steps of; drilling a longitudinal aperture through a substantially-cylindrical blank parallel to and spaced laterally from the longitudinal axis thereof, securing one end of an action-rod in said longitudinal aperture, thereafter shaping said cylindrical blank and the corresponding end of said action-rod to the form of a crosshead by turning off stock from the periphery of said blank and from the periphery of the corresponding end of said action-rod in a single operation, forming an external shoulder on said action-rod at its intersection with the rear end of said cylindrical blank by removing stock from the periphery of said cylindrical blank and from the corresponding end of said rod in a single operation and then forming an inwardlyprojecting lug on the inside of said action-rod by milling a flat on the inside wall thereof.

5. In the manufacture of firearms, the method of forming an action-slide mechanism embodying a crosshead and a pair of action-slide rods which method comprises the steps of; drilling a pair of longitudinal apertures through a substantiallycylindrical bar, each aperture being parallel to and spaced laterally from the longitudinal axis thereof, dividing said cylindrical bar into a plurality of longitudinally-apertured cylindrical blanks, securing one end of an action-rod in each longitudinal aperture of one of said cylindrical blanks, thereafter shaping each cylindrical blank to the form of a crosshead by removing stock from the periphery thereof and from the periphery of the corresponding end of each actionrod, and then milling a flat on the inside wall of each of said action-rods.

6. In the manufacture of firearms, the method of forming an action-slide mechanism embodying a crosshead and a pair of action-slide rods which method comprises the steps of drilling a pair of longitudinal apertures through a substantially-cylindrical bar, each aperture being parallel to and spaced laterally from the longitudinal axis thereof, dividing said cylindrical bar into a plurality of longitudinally-apertured cylindrical blanks from which to form a corresponding number of crossheads, securing one end of an action-rod in each longitudinal aperture of one of said cylindrical blanks, thereafter shaping each cylindrical blank and the corresponding ends of said pair of action-rods to the form of a crosshead by removing stock from the peripheries thereof and from the periphery of the corresponding ends of said pair of action-rods in a single operation, forming external shoulders on said action-rods at their points of intersection with the rear end of said cylindrical blank by removing stock from the periphery of said cylindrical blank and from the corresponding ends of said action-rods in a single operation and then forming inwardly-projecting lugs on the inner walls of said action-rods by milling flats on the respective inner walls thereof.

7. In the manufacture of firearms, the method of forming an action-slide mechanism embodying a crosshead and a pair of action-slide rods which method comprises the steps of; drilling a pair of longitudinal apertures through a substantially-cylindrical bar, each aperture being parallel to and spaced laterally from the longitudinal axis thereof, dividing said cylindrical bar into a plurality of longitudinally-apertured cylindrical blanks, securing one end of an actionrod in each longitudinal aperture of one of said cylindrical blanks, thereafter shaping each cylindrical blank to the form of a crosshead by removing stock from the periphery thereof and from the periphery of the corresponding end of each action-rod, and then milling a clearancerecess in the upper surface of said cylindrical blank and a longitudinal flat on the inside wall of each of said action-rods.

CARL G. SWEBILIUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 338,962 Hart Mar. 30, 1886 887,630 Hart May 12, 1908 1,300,531 Weis Apr. 15, 1919 1,518,610 Steenstrup Dec. 9, 1924 2,188,833 Dennison Jan. 30, 1940 

